A 2011 study found that the average indie musician made about $33,000 per year, and only 33% of the respondents in the study made 75% or more of their income from music alone. Most independent musicians make their money from performing live, selling music and merchandise, or even from teaching others. But $33,000 isn’t enough to live on for some people, especially when you’re putting a lot of time and money into a music career. Because of that, many musicians look for work before their music career takes off in order to pay the bills. But how can you work at a job while still chasing your dream?
Thankfully, it’s not impossible, but it can take a bit of extra time and effort. So, whether you know you need a side hustle right now, or you’re trying to find a job during the COVID-19 pandemic to make some money before you can get back on the road, let’s go over a few things you should keep in mind when looking for work and some of the best jobs to consider.
Take Care of Yourself
When you’re trying to kick off a music career while working a day job, it can often feel like you’re burning the candle at both ends. An estimated 23% of employees regularly feel burned out at work, and job stress can lead to a variety of different health conditions:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Aches and pains
- Insomnia
- Chest pains
Stress from work could also lead to a deteriorating diet, which can lead to health issues like migraines, grumpiness, or stomach issues like acid reflux, which might force you to make changes to your diet — and so a cycle begins. Taking care of yourself as you work a job and work on your music career should be one of your top priorities. It’s as easy as getting enough sleep at night, exercising regularly, and fueling your body with the right foods.
It can also be a good idea to practice meditation or mindfulness to cut down on stress. Don’t buy into the stereotypes surrounding meditation; it doesn’t have to involve any kind of chanting or sitting in certain positions. If you can give yourself a few minutes of silence every morning to close your eyes and focus on your breathing and be in the present. By doing this, you can start your day with a positive attitude and feel less stressed.
Don’t Ignore Important Input
Your family and friends are probably your biggest supporters, right? So, don’t ignore their advice when it comes to how to balance a job and a music career. If you have a spouse or children at home, you’ll want a job that is flexible so you can still spend time with them while pursuing your music too.
Finding a work-life balance can be harder when it feels like you’re working two jobs (depending on how much time you’re spending on your music).
Listen to your family and friends and take their input seriously. If they think you’re working too much or not setting boundaries with your work hours, you might have to take a step back from something until you can figure out a clearer, cleaner schedule. What can you do to set those boundaries and find a better work-life balance? Try some of these tips:
- Have designated working hours and don’t go past them
- Find a job that allows you to be home when your kids are, or something that requires less commitment, like a side-hustle
- Work part-time instead of full-time
- Find a job you’re interested in or passionate about
- Schedule time for family and friends
Finding a Job That Won’t Hold You Back
With all of this in mind, what are some of the best jobs for musicians to consider before their career takes off?
For starters, almost anything within the gig economy should work for you. As of 2017, 55 million people in the U.S. worked in the gig economy. The gig economy includes everything from delivery drivers and ride-sharing to freelance graphic designers and writers. One of the great things about being a gig worker is that you can set your own hours, take on as many or as few “gigs” as you want, and be your own boss so you still have time for your music.
There are some risks to working in the gig economy, however. There is little job security for gig workers, no benefits like you might receive from an employer, and you’re responsible for everything from health insurance to a retirement fund. It can be a great solution if you’re waiting for your music career to take off, but if it’s something you plan on doing for a long time, you might want to take extra precautions and save up money if you can.
One thing the gig economy does get right for musicians is flexibility. If you’re looking for flexibility but don’t want to be your own boss, you can still find day jobs that will let you pursue your musical career. There’s always the obvious “starving artist” route of being a waiter or barista (plus, discount coffee!). You can actually make decent money through tips, and you’ll typically only work a few shifts a week if you’re there on a part-time basis.
If music is your true passion, you can even find work that allows you to further explore that passion while doing something that can pay your rent. There are plenty of jobs within the music industry outside of musicians including production and sound careers. Or, you can combine freelance work with your love of music and get a job in a record store as a piano tuner or teaching guitar to kids and teenagers.
There will always be bills to pay. But it doesn’t mean you need to give up on your music career. Keep these things in mind while you’re looking for work, listen to those around you, and choose a job that will allow you to pursue your passion while still providing a paycheck.
Make your job search easier with this resource: https://jooble.org/
Courtesy of Indiana Lee
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